J.F. Reynolds

John F. Reynolds, usually known as J.F. Reynolds, was an architect of Sioux City, Iowa[1] and Lincoln, Nebraska.[2][3] He designed schools and courthouses. Several of his works have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) for their architecture.

One of his salient works is the Perkins County Courthouse, built during 1926–27, which has been described as a "fine example" of County Citadel design, with Classical Revival architecture elements. It was designed by Reynolds to include stone pilasters that were changed to brick to reduce costs; the courthouse contract finally approved was for $126,000. It was listed on the NRHP for its architecture and its history.[1]

From a 1933 lawsuit involving farm land in Texas, it is known that Reynolds was considering a move from Iowa to Texas in 1930–31, but failed to find professional work there.[4]

Projects

Dixon County Courthouse

Works include (with attribution):

• Belden Public School (1924), Dodge Street, Belden, Nebraska[5]
• Perkins County Courthouse (1926–27), Lincoln St. between 2nd and 3rd Sts. Grant, Nebraska (Reynolds, J.F.), NRHP-listed[6]
• Thurston County Courthouse (1927 conversion from school to courthouse), Main St. between 5th and 6th Sts. Pender, Nebraska (Reynolds, J.F.), NRHP-listed[6][7] (? same building as Third Thurston County Public School (1927), Southside Main between 5th & 6th, Pender, Nebraska ?)[5]
• Crookston Public School (ca. 1930), Main between Oak & 2nd, Crookston, Nebraska[5]
• Ainsworth City Hall (1935–36), Ainsworth, Nebraska[2][5]
• Hampton Auditorium (1938), Hampton, Nebraska[3]
• Dixon County Courthouse Addition (1939–1940), 3rd and Iowa Sts., Ponca, Nebraska (Reynolds, J.), NRHP-listed[6][8]

Construction of Reynolds' designs for a city hall in Ainsworth, Nebraska (1935) and for an auditorium in Hampton, Nebraska (1938) were partially funded by Public Works Administration grants, at 50% and 30% respectively.[2][3]

References

1. Barbara Beving Long (February 2, 1990). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Perkins County Courthouse" (PDF). Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2016. (document at NPS with three photos from 1988, readable in MSIE)
2. The Living New Deal: City Hall, Ainsworth, NE
3. The Living New Deal: Hampton Auditorium, Hampton, NE
4. Horton v. Reynolds court case (65 F.2d 430 (8th Cir. 1933))
5. D. Murphy (May 6, 2015). "Place Makers of Nebraska-The Architects: John F. Reynolds, Architect". Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved August 6, 2016. within David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. "Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects", part of the Encyclopedia of Nebraska History
6. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
7. Barbara Beving Long (August 17, 1989). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Thurston County Courthouse / TS03-22; 2nd Thurston County Courthouse; Fender School". National Park Service. Retrieved August 6, 2016. with photos (also available in version with 2 photos included^[usurped] at NebraskaHistory.Org)
8. Barbara Beving Long (November 8, 1989). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Dixon County Courthouse" (PDF). Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2016. (with 3 photos included) (also available from NPS: text and two photos from 1989, readable in MSIE)

External links

• Encyclopedia of Nebraska History: John F. Reynolds, Architect